(CLOSED) The Smoking DSA's @ Resorts Info Thread

[krbq]

My main concern in the Parks is finding th DSAs !! I wish they would label them and sign them !!! I frequently had to ask a CM !!!

I totally agree, and so would DH if he were here right now. There are fewer of them each time we go, they're harder to find, and always crowded. Many don't have seating of any kind. At the one near the Tower of Terror I counted 19 people standing around the ashtray.

The problem with asking a CM is that most of them don't know themselves. The ones holding a broom and dustpan usually know for sure.

 

[kaffinito]

Agreed, but not for 2 weeks twice a day. I know I'm exaggerating but if that is classified as a balanced diet, so is my coffe in the left hand and cigarette in the right .....

Well I have the opposite diet. Coffee in the right hand and cigarette in the left...

I don't smoke in my house either, or in the car, or in restaurants... You get the picture. You will probably like POP. There are a lot of DSA's around, and it's fairly easy to get to one no matter where you are staying at the resort.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well I have the opposite diet. Coffee in the right hand and cigarette in the left...

Nope. I'm with 2Tiggies. Left hand coffee, right hand cigarette. It's all about the balance! The ONLY valid explanation for using alternate hands is if you're smoking and coffeeing* while driving - then, yes, you need your right hand for the cup because that's where the cup holder is, and your left hand to flick ashes out the window BUT NOT THE CIGARETTE BUTT. When we responsible smokers are through with a cigarette, we momentarily replace the coffee mug, safely switch the cigarette to the right hand, and extinguish the butt completely in the ashtray

Well I have the opposite diet. Coffee in the right hand and cigarette in the left...

My favorite DSA at Pop is the (non-smoker-detested) one to the right, just outside the back main entrance of Classic Hall. My favorite quiet DSA is, well, either of the two near the back of building five, facing the lake. They're about 75 or 100 feet apart, and one is 'considered' close to 70's building 6 - and it it, sort of, but if you're near the core of that building, it's still kind of a hike. Anyway, ANY of the designated smoking areas around the lake are pretty quiet. Not unsafely so, and I certainly wouldn't ask for a security escort in the middle of the night so I could smoke...

 

[2Tiggies]

The ONLY valid explanation for using alternate hands is if you're smoking and coffeeing* while driving - then, yes, you need your right hand for the cup because that's where the cup holder is, and your left hand to flick ashes out the window BUT NOT THE CIGARETTE BUTT.

Smoking, coffeeing and driving at the same time? That is taking multi-tasking to a whole new level!!! My limit is 2 things at once.

I agree about the butt going the wrong way when in the wrong hand. I vividly recall a trip home very late one night and screaming to my friend "My pants are on fire!!!" Enough said.

Not unsafely so, and I certainly wouldn't ask for a security escort in the middle of the night so I could smoke...

Although if security is looking particularly good that night .......

 

[clkelley]

There isn't any such thread, as far as I know - but you might want to Google California's smoking laws. They're MUCH more restrictive than most other states, overall. This would be entirely a guess, but I would say that no, you cannot smoke in/on the structure of any hotel, motel, resort, or similar facility in California.

I stayed at the Super 8 on Katella near Disneyland August 2008, and I had a smoking room.

I just went to WyndamRewards.com and looked at several hotels less than a mile from Disneyland, and while most were all nonsmoking, there are a few that still have smoking rooms.

 

[smidgy]

Flamestarrdust: while it's true there are DSAs along the lake, the 70s section has NO DSA in the middle. I suggest the 50's request the bldg by the lake. then you have a couple DSAs along the lake, PLUS the one in the middle (courtyard) it is between the bowling pin pool and the main pool/food court area. (the bowling pin pool is just as big as the fantasia pool) request ground floor or 2nd floor (since one flight of stairs is no biggie). If you have to wait for an elevator just to smoke, it is a pain!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Although if security is looking particularly good that night .......

Okay, not smoking-related (well, it is, technically, since I always get a smoking room at ths particular hotel )...
I'm short, and have arthritis and other lower joint issues. I have a favorite hotel in Las Vegas. Three years ago, I checked in there for two nights (not important to the story, but I stayed at three different hotels owned by the same company - one free for one night, this one pretty cheap for two, and the third costing in-between for the last four).

Anyway, in the year since my prior visit, they'd replaced all their mattresses with pillow-tops. VERY nice - but I couldn't get into the bed!! I tried pulling over the desk chair; that didn't work. I thought about using the coffee table but wasn't sure of its sturdiness. That first night, I slept on the love seat - being short can be an advantage! - but heck, if I wanted to sleep on a couch on vacation, I could have stayed in someone's living room!

So in the morning, I called housekeeping and asked if they had any kind of stool or ladder I could use. No. Then I called the front desk. The 'solution' from the first person with whom I spoke? "Call Security when you're ready to go to sleep, and they'll send someone up to help you into bed". Really!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Of course, at the time I was too shocked to think about WHO they'd send, or if I could request a specific 'look' . On the other hand, my needing to get up every couple of hours - requiring repeated calls to Security for help getting back into bed - WASN'T doing to work!

I was smart. I called the front desk again. I spoke with someone who, I hope, has deservedly advanced in the company. HIS solution? He called maintenance. In twenty minutes, two men appeared at my door with a "new" (old) mattress - one that put the bed at a height I could access entirely on my own ("Look, ma! I can get into bed ALL BY MYSELF!" ). Five minutes after that, the housekeeping supervisor was at my door, telling me people would be up with a mattress as soon as possible. They beat her to it!

Oh, the other thing that second desk clerk did for me? He called over to the 'sister' hotel and arranged for the same bedding swap. My accessible bed was ready for me when I got to the hotel.

note: the first hotel hadn't upgraded the bedding, so it wasn't an issue there.

 

[smidgy]

Okay, not smoking-related (well, it is, technically, since I always get a smoking room at ths particular hotel )...
I'm short, and have arthritis and other lower joint issues. I have a favorite hotel in Las Vegas. Three years ago, I checked in there for two nights (not important to the story, but I stayed at three different hotels owned by the same company - one free for one night, this one pretty cheap for two, and the third costing in-between for the last four).

Anyway, in the year since my prior visit, they'd replaced all their mattresses with pillow-tops. VERY nice - but I couldn't get into the bed!! I tried pulling over the desk chair; that didn't work. I thought about using the coffee table but wasn't sure of its sturdiness. That first night, I slept on the love seat - being short can be an advantage! - but heck, if I wanted to sleep on a couch on vacation, I could have stayed in someone's living room!

So in the morning, I called housekeeping and asked if they had any kind of stool or ladder I could use. No. Then I called the front desk. The 'solution' from the first person with whom I spoke? "Call Security when you're ready to go to sleep, and they'll send someone up to help you into bed". Really!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Of course, at the time I was too shocked to think about WHO they'd send, or if I could request a specific 'look' . On the other hand, my needing to get up every couple of hours - requiring repeated calls to Security for help getting back into bed - WASN'T doing to work!

I was smart. I called the front desk again. I spoke with someone who, I hope, has deservedly advanced in the company. HIS solution? He called maintenance. In twenty minutes, two men appeared at my door with a "new" (old) mattress - one that put the bed at a height I could access entirely on my own ("Look, ma! I can get into bed ALL BY MYSELF!" ). Five minutes after that, the housekeeping supervisor was at my door, telling me people would be up with a mattress as soon as possible. They beat her to it!

Oh, the other thing that second desk clerk did for me? He called over to the 'sister' hotel and arranged for the same bedding swap. My accessible bed was ready for me when I got to the hotel.

note: the first hotel hadn't upgraded the bedding, so it wasn't an issue there.

OMG!!! and the merry mix-ups that ensue:
"katieelder is arrested for 'soliciting' a 6'2" Italian type escort". he tells his "coworkers" .."all this crazy lady wanted was for me to PUT her in bed.. nothing else..weird."

 

[KimRaye]

Re: POP - I've been told from several questionings, to ask for 50s, 1st floor, bldg 3 OR 60s bldg 5 facing the lake. NO CLUE if that will help ANY other smokers, or me for that matter, but that's what I was told via DIS friends.

 

[kaffinito]

Nope. I'm with 2Tiggies. Left hand coffee, right hand cigarette. It's all about the balance! The ONLY valid explanation for using alternate hands is if you're smoking and coffeeing* while driving - then, yes, you need your right hand for the cup because that's where the cup holder is, and your left hand to flick ashes out the window BUT NOT THE CIGARETTE BUTT.

My favorite DSA at Pop is the (non-smoker-detested) one to the right, just outside the back main entrance of Classic Hall.

Ahh, but to ME the coffee is in the right and the cig is in the left. Smoking handedness should count as subjective, shouldn't it?

I love that DSA! Grab the morning coffee and go join the smoking gang. It made for nice mornings at POP.

Smoking, coffeeing and driving at the same time? That is taking multi-tasking to a whole new level!!! My limit is 2 things at once.

Although if security is looking particularly good that night .......

 

[2Tiggies]

Re: POP - I've been told from several questionings, to ask for 50s, 1st floor, bldg 3 OR 60s bldg 5 facing the lake. NO CLUE if that will help ANY other smokers, or me for that matter, but that's what I was told via DIS friends.

Well you be sure to let us know when you get back! How long are you going for (just looking at your signature)?

One thing about the DSA's is all the wonderful people you meet. I have had such good conversations with people at the benches. I do think smokers are more sociable.

 

[KimRaye]

Well you be sure to let us know when you get back! How long are you going for (just looking at your signature)?

11 nights!

 

[sunny45]

It is sad to hear that the DSA's in the parks seem to be disappearing.

Our last visit was Sept 2007 and I don't recall there being any problem with looking at the map and finding that the DSA's were where they were suppose to be.

DH is the smoker and he will not be too happy if he cannot smoke when he gets to the DSA and it's not there.

Hopefully by our next visit in December the maps will be correct.

As far as POP did a PP say the DSA by the 70's bldg at the lake is no longer there?

 

[2Tiggies]

It is sad to hear that the DSA's in the parks seem to be disappearing.

Hopefully by our next visit in December the maps will be correct.

I am less bothered about them having fewer DSAs in the parks than I am about them not corresponding with the park maps. I tend not to take time out to go and smoke very often while touring. So when I decide I want one it is absolutely infuriating to go from one place to the next only to discover that the DSA indicated on the map has either been moved or removed completly. I know they have to wait until the next batch of maps are printed and probably have a stock pile of millions to use before the new ones come in, but you would think that in the meantime they would put a sign in the old DSA advising where to go for the nearest alternative. Even supermarkets do that when they change things around.

And off topic (kind of) I am still chuckling 2 days later about Katieeldr's front desk solution to the bed height problem.

 

[kaytieeldr]

And off topic (kind of) I am still chuckling 2 days later about Katieeldr's front desk solution to the bed height problem.

Yeah, it is funny... now

 

[kaffinito]

We're leaving in a few days for WDW so if anyone has a DSA they want me to check out in the parks let me know and I'll see if it's still there. Heck, I'll probably be at the DSA anyways so....

 

[outahere]

My DW convinced me to stay at the Poly for a couple of nights next month, so if anyone has any recent experience with the DSAs there, I would appreciate hearing them.

Thanks.

 

[2Tiggies]

We're leaving in a few days for WDW so if anyone has a DSA they want me to check out in the parks let me know and I'll see if it's still there. Heck, I'll probably be at the DSA anyways so....

Yes please. My favorite MK spots are just outside the little shop that is joined to Main Street Confectionery and the other is the one behind the castle, kind of on the "bridge" where you can smoke and have a nice little peek across the water ..... love it!

 

[clkelley]

Yes please. My favorite MK spots are just outside the little shop that is joined to Main Street Confectionery and the other is the one behind the castle, kind of on the "bridge" where you can smoke and have a nice little peek across the water ..... love it!

If you mean the one outside the Chapeau and Tony's, yes that one is still there as of last week.

The one by the castle bridge is still there also.

 

[notaclue]

My DW convinced me to stay at the Poly for a couple of nights next month, so if anyone has any recent experience with the DSAs there, I would appreciate hearing them.

Thanks.

We were at the Poly in Sept and found plenty of DSAs. There is one by the theme parks bus stop, one outside the back door of the Great House, a nice covered one on the 2nd floor walkway that connects Nuie and Rarotonga, one outside the laundromat. I'm sure there are others but those are the ones I used.